Affordable housing delivering on style and sustainability

Project: Hamilton Passive House Modular Housing

Award: Future Projects – Residential, Silver, 2022

Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Architect: Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc. 

Client: City Housing Hamilton

This affordable rent housing scheme aspires to remove the stigma around homelessness and social housing by demonstrating that coexistence is achievable and beneficial for the community. It will sit on the site of a former car park, between a church and block of flats with subdued metal cladding offering an elegant, uniform appearance ensuring it complements and fits in with its neighbours. 
The building is a three-storey modular construction and will include 24 studio-style homes. All modules are manufactured in a factory setting, and once completed can be easily and quickly transported to the site and assembled. This will reduce the amount of time and resources spent on site and use a smaller carbon footprint than conventional construction methods. The ground floor will include the community room, meeting room, lounge and laundry facilities. 

Design highlights

The glazed front entrance and rear exit are strategically aligned to create a visual connection between the street and garden which will feature barbecues, seating and a community garden all surrounded by lush, low-maintenance landscaping.
The development is targeting Passive House Certification. It will feature an all-electric heating and cooling system that is powered by photovoltaic panels on the roof. An air-tight, water-tight envelope will enclose the building and greatly reducing the risk of air infiltration, thermal bridging and condensation.

Photo credit: Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc.